Former Finnish army college head says South Karelia is one of Finland’s safest regions

Former Finnish Army Training Centre (Maasotakoulu) commander Janne Mäkitalo has reassured residents that South Karelia remains one of Finland’s safest regions, despite recent drone incidents near the eastern border.

Speaking to Yle, Mäkitalo—a retired colonel with over 34 years of military experience—said there is no cause for alarm in Lappeenranta or surrounding areas. He now serves as a security and preparedness expert for the city.

“We have strong military and border guard presence here. The authorities are fully aware of the situation,” Mäkitalo stated, noting that Finland’s air surveillance systems are robust and operational.

Two drones crashed in southeastern Finland on Sunday, with one reportedly carrying an unexploded warhead. Authorities controlled the detonation of one device, but the incidents raised concerns about potential future crossings near the eastern border.

Mäkitalo defended the decision not to shoot down the drones, calling it a “sensible” approach. “There would have been no way to predict where the debris would land,” he explained.

He also emphasized that basic security along the border remains high, describing the overall situation as “calm.”